Course on CD-ROM JAZZ THEORY Course Description Why learn Jazz Theory ? Lesson Topics Links How to order

JT 1 - Course Description

The Jazz Theory Course consists of 20 lessons and is suitable for players on all instruments.

The Lessons starts from rock bottom basics (tones and semitones), right up to more advanced subjects like chord substitutions and improvisation over altered chords.

Depending on your need, you can use the Jazz Theory Course in three different ways :

1. To gain a good understanding of modern principles of Jazz and Western music.

2. As a valuable Source of Reference for numerous Jazz Theory topics.

3. As a serious Practice Guide, to develop an instant memory base of chords, scales, and chord progressions in all keys. This is essential for good Jazz improvisation.

The Jazz Theory Course is distributed on CD-ROM suitable for both PC and Macintosh computers.
Simply copy and paste the 'Jazz Theory' folder from the CD onto your computer, open the access file with your browser (without going online), and a world of musical insight is at your finger tips.

You can enrol in the Secure Online ORDER FORM or by email or Airmail letter.

The Jazz Theory Course stands entirely on its own, but it also provides great support for all the other Jazclass Courses and Books.

Here some facts about the Jazz Theory Course.

It takes about 4 MB space on your hard disk. Consists of 20 Lessons with web style pages. There is a Quiz at the end of each Lesson. The Course includes an extensive Subject and Topics Index. This makes it an ideal music Reference Source. More than 30 Ear Training Tests to develop your musical ear. A Practice Folder (for you to print out) with 30 pages of essential chords, scales and chord progressions in all 12 keys. 10 Songs with Play-a-Long midi tracks and sheet music for all instruments. More than 60 exercises writing and construction chords, scales and other music elements in 12 keys, using a range of devices.

JT 2 - Why learn Jazz Theory ?

All Western music of the past 300 years or so (Classical, Popular and Jazz) consist of a combination of three musical levels.

1. Melody

2. Chord progression

3. Scale progression

In Classical music (and written arrangements of Popular music and Jazz) the melody is usually harmonised. This means that the chords are integrated with the melody line, but in essence the melody, the chords and the underlying scales remain three separate identifiable musical levels.

You can compare these three levels with a painting.

1. The melody represents the shapes in the painting.

2. The chords represent the colours filling and surrounding the shapes.

3. The scales are the resource from which the melody notes and the chord tones are selected - they represent the palette of the painter.

Audio 1


An improvisation can be guided by any of these three levels.

1. The improvisation could for example be just the embellishment of the melody.

2. Or the improvisation could be based on the chord tones of the underlying chords.

3. Or the improvisation could be based on the entire palette, the underlying scales (which of course include all melody notes and chord tones)

The Jazz Theory Course will provide you with the understanding and knowledge required to fully explore all three approaches.

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JT 3 - Lesson Topics

The Jazz Theory Course starts from rock bottom basics : tones and semitones. From there the lessons progress step by step to provide you with an easy to follow, yet comprehensive understanding of modern music principles.
The Lesson topics are :

1. Tones, Semitones and Symmetric scales
   
   
2. Tetrachords and the Major scale
   
   
3. Intervals of the Major scale
   
   
4. Other Intervals
   
   
5. Triad Chord Qualities
   
   
6. Triad Chord Inversions, Scale-tone Triads
   
   
7. Basic 12 bar Blues, Cadences, the Blues scale
   
   
8. Seventh Chord Qualities
   
   
9. The Overtone Series
   
   
10. The Circle of Fifths and its Application in Jazz and Classical music
    
    
11. The Pentatonic scales
    
    
12. Seventh Chord Inversions, Scale-tone 7th Chords of the Major scale
    
    
13. The Scale-tone 7th Chord Progression of the Major scale
    
    
14. Modes of the Major scale
    
    
15. Chord / Scale relationships for Improvisation
    
    
16. The IIm7 - V7 - Imaj7 Chord Progression
    
    
17. The IIm7b5 - V7 - Im7 Progression and the Harmonic minor scale
    
    
18. Overview of the Minor scales
    
    
19. Chord Substitutions, Skeleton Chords, Chord Plurality
    
    
20. 6 and 69 Chords, Altered-, Augmented- and Suspended- Chords,
    Modes of the melodic minor scale for Improvisation.